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PARAGON DESIGNER JOEY DUNCAN DIES AT 63
May 27, 2011

Paragon is saddened to announce the passing of industry veteran and long-time Paragon executive and designer Joey Duncan. Joey passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at his home in Guntersville, AL. He was 63.

A graduate of Jefferson State Community College, he majored in design and marketing. In his career, Joey worked in all aspects of the furniture industry. Joey began in retail store sales working his way to buyer and store manager and eventually working as a sales representative of decorative accessories and owning a sales agency with a permanent showroom in Atlanta.

Joey was instrumental in the success of Paragon. He designed the first Paragon wall décor line in 1981 and then joined the company full time in 1983 with responsibilities in both product design and sales management. Later in his career Joey was at the forefront of Paragon’s efforts in sourcing products and components from international suppliers. He was also a part of the formation and management of our sister company Propac Images as a stock owner.

In the last few years Joey had the opportunity to semi-retire, while still designing product for Paragon and Propac. He pursued many interests during this time, including his passion for cooking, by opening the Rock House Eatery.

“His loyalty and dedication to our family and companies has been remarkable and we will certainly miss him,” said Paragon President Lendell Glassco. “His design expertise and knowledge of the industry were invaluable to Paragon.”

He is survived by his wife Anita Duncan, two sons Joey (Bo) Duncan, Jr and Brandon Duncan along with his mother Maxine Duncan and a granddaughter, Isla Jo Duncan. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Duncan and a son, Cody Duncan.

A service was held Tuesday at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Guntersville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cody Duncan Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Regions Bank, 2025 Gunter Avenue, Guntersville, AL 35976.

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PARAGON TO ACQUIRE KINDER-HARRIS
September 17, 2010

ALBERTVILLE, AL - Paragon, a leading manufacturer of wall décor, has reached an agreement to acquire high end wall art, lamp, and accessory manufacturer Kinder-Harris currently located in Stuttgart, AR. The product line will be re-launched at the upcoming High Point Market in Paragon’s IHFC C203 showroom along with many new introductions.

“During this period of market consolidation, we have been approached by several companies looking for ways to work together. Kinder-Harris presented us a great opportunity to add a more exclusive line of hand painted artwork to compliment our existing product line. In addition, we will continue to offer the coordinating lamp and accessory products to support their customer base and also offer our accounts these new product categories” stated Lendell Glassco, Paragon President.

Both companies have a long tradition of being industry leaders and combined have won nine of the 21 industry ARTS Awards for excellence in wall décor manufacturing. Kris Lindsey, President of Kinder Harris said “Our goal was to provide a beneficial exit strategy for majority owner Joe Phillips and at the same time find a way to keep the product line and legacy of Kinder-Harris going on in the future. Paragon shares many of our business philosophies and we both feel strongly about keeping our products made in the USA.”

“I am thrilled to have the addition of the higher end look that we will be able to offer to retailers and designers,” said Malanta Glassco-Knowles, Paragon Vice President of Marketing and Design. “Current customers of both Paragon and Kinder Harris will now have the opportunity to broaden their price point and styling assortments without broadening their supplier base”.

Lindsey will join the Paragon team to assure a smooth transition, develop sales, coordinate submissions from existing and new artists, and design new products for the collection. Sales, order fulfillment, and customer service will be handled through the existing Paragon structure beginning October 15. Complete relocation of the Kinder-Harris manufacturing operations to Paragon’s Alabama facility will occur by year end.

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PARAGON NAMED 21ST ARTS AWARDS WINNER IN WALL DECOR
January 20, 2010

Paragon was honored to be the recipient of the 21st ARTS Award in Wall Décor Manufacturing at the ARTS Awards Gala on Saturday, January 16, at the Dallas Market Center. The win also marks Paragon’s induction as the first wall décor manufacturer in ARTS Hall of Fame. On hand to accept the award was Lendell Glassco -Paragon President; Malanta Glassco-Knowles – Vice President of Marketing and Design; Vince Glassco – Propac President.

“This is our fifth win and we are just awestruck at the support and loyalty of our customers,” said Lendell Glassco, Paragon President. “We are truly blessed to have dedicated employees and sales reps who work hard, along with customers who place their confidence in us each time they order.”

“We are truly honored to be the first wall décor manufacturer inducted in the ARTS Hall of Fame,” said Malanta Glassco-Knowles, Vice President of Marketing and Design. “I think it’s great that we have made it to the Hall of Fame in the same year we are celebrating Paragon’s 35th year in business.”

Every year the Accessory Resource Team, along with the Dallas Market Center sponsor the prestigious ARTS Awards Program. The ARTS Awards is the only international program recognizing excellence in the retailing, manufacturing, product design and sales representation of decorative accessories. Through the ARTS program, retailers, manufacturers, product designers and sales representatives are recognized by their peers for excellence in the development of product, retail merchandising and sales representation of decorative accessories.

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